The Stellenbosch University (SU) choir recently returned to regular full capacity rehearsals for the first time in two years. This is according to Tiaan Serfontein, SU choir member and vice-chairperson of the SU choir committee.
The choir had their first rehearsal of the year on 15 February at Hofmeyr Hall, said Serfontein.
The Stellenbosch University (SU) choir could not rehearse at full capacity for much of 2021 and are excited to have full capacity in-person rehearsals this year, according to Tiaan Serfontein, SU choir member and vice-chairperson of the SU choir committee. “The whole thing about an ensemble group is being able to have those people next to you […] so that you feel the energy of everybody around you which lets you connect more with the song,” explained Nelisa Shabalala, an SU Choir member. Pictured is the SU choir performing at the Woordfees Langtafel event on 14 March. PHOTO: Karla de Bod
Rehearsal difficulties
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown regulations, the choir’s 110 members could not rehearse together in 2020 and had to find creative ways of rehearsing in 2021. “We started having rehearsals with smaller groups in sectionals [in 2021] to be accommodating to protocol rules at the time,” explained Serfontein.
“We started practising outside on the carpet in the foyer at the Conserve [SU Konservatorium] and we would all sing like that together while socially distanced and wearing our masks,” said Caroline Butler, an SU choir member.
The choir found these rehearsals challenging, said Serfontein. “To sing with masks, as well as being socially distanced from each other, made singing a real challenge.”
“It was a bit discouraging not to hear everyone together, and a few of us felt like why are we still singing if we cannot sing together,” said Jaylin Cupido, an SU Choir member.
For the past two years, Covid-19 protocols meant that the Stellenbosch University (SU) choir had to rehearse in smaller groups, said Caroline Butler, an SU choir member. “It was very difficult because we could not hear each other properly and it is very hard for everyone to stay in tune because you cannot tune as easily with your peers, and you can’t hear the whole arrangement,” explained Butler. PHOTO: Sourced/Christiaan de Beer
The SU choir is currently ranked first on the Interkultur World Rankings and is internationally renowned. This is a testament to the choir’s hard work, said Serfontein.
“We started learning all of our songs during the holiday,” said Butler. She added that the musical director of the SU choir, André van der Merwe, ensures that they get all the details right. “We go over it so much in practice,” said Butler.
The choir now rehearses twice a week with two-and-a-half-hour sessions, stated Cupido. They sometimes also have a rehearsal weekend that entails over eight hours of rehearsal, he added.
Future plans
The choir has big plans for the year, according to Vernon Simons, an SU choir member. This initially included taking part in the World Choir Games, an international choir festival that takes place every two years on different continents. The SU choir could not defend their title at the 2020 edition due to Covid-19 pandemic. However, on 17 March, Interkultur announced that the World Choir Games would be postponed by one year.
The choir’s first full repertoire performance took place on 20 March at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium, said Serfontein.
“I am most excited to perform live in front of people, we need an audience and we are all really looking forward to that,” said Jaylin Cupido, a Stellenbosch University (SU) choir member. Pictured is the SU choir performing at the Woordfees Langtafel on 14 March. PHOTO: Karla de Bod
A brief history of the Stellenbosch University Choir. GRAPHIC: Takudzwa Pongweni